It's been a while since I've written something, so I thought I'd get back at it by sharing one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my Krav Maga journey to date. This comes from my instructor, Amit Himelstein, who introduced me to the concept of "Danger Plus One." It’s a mindset rooted in a simple, yet profoundly impactful principle: if you find danger, assume there’s more. Like the cockroach theory in business—where seeing one roach signals the likelihood of many more—this approach compels you to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Danger Plus One forces us to make some key assumptions about an adversary. First, assume your adversary is trained. Second, assume they’re stronger than you. Third, assume they have accomplices. And for this post, we'll be taking a deep dive into the most critical assumption: assume they are armed.
Why is this concept important? Because it keeps you cautious, humble, and alive. Thinking this way forces you to stay ahead of a confrontation rather than react to it. It reminds us that street violence doesn’t play by fair rules or conventions, and it helps us train for survival—not fantasy. Let’s break this down and see how this mindset applies to weapons awareness, range management, and situational training.
The Realities of Street Weapons
The fact is that it is increasing more common for individuals, not just bad guys, to be carrying weapons these days. Weapons in street confrontations can range from knives and sticks to firearms, and even improvised tools like broken bottles or metal pipes. Each presents unique threats:
Knives: The weapon of choice in countless street attacks due to their concealability, accessibility, and lethality. Knives are devastating in close quarters and can be hidden in clothing or bags until the moment they’re deployed.
Sticks or bats: These offer reach and force, turning what might have been a manageable physical altercation into a fight for survival. Anything from a baseball bat to a crowbar can cause massive trauma, and they’re often used to intimidate before striking.
Guns: Rarely brandished without intent, firearms raise the stakes dramatically. Even if the weapon is fake or poorly handled, the mere assumption that someone has a gun forces you to prioritize distance and de-escalation.
Assuming an attacker is armed shifts your entire perspective. The moment someone invades your personal space aggressively, your mental checklist should light up: What might they have? Where are their hands? Where could they be hiding a weapon?
Awareness: Where Self Defense Begins
Under the "assume they are armed" mindset, weapons awareness should become automatic. This doesn’t mean paranoia—it means staying grounded in the present moment with a heightened sense of observation. Focus on:
Body language: Is their posture aggressive or hiding something? Are they favoring one side of their body, perhaps holding or concealing an object? Are they fidgeting near a pocket or waistband?
Hands: In every confrontation, watch the hands. Hands deliver punches, but they also pull knives, swing bats, and aim guns. If their hands disappear from sight, assume they’re reaching for something dangerous.
This level of awareness encourages you first, to do whatever you can to try and de-escalate the situation and not let it spiral out of control. Second, and more importantly, assuming they are armed compels you to maintain distance and pay close attention to the "slot"—the active gap between you and the threat. This is arguably your best defense against any weapon. The closer you are to an armed attacker, the harder it is to react effectively. A few extra feet can buy you precious seconds to assess the situation, escape, or prepare for engagement. At the same time, knowing when and how to effectively and decisively close the gap and establish control over your adversary, is equally important.
Training for the Worst
Practitioners at Spartan Krav Maga know that the moment we train as if every fight will be clean or fair, we’ve already lost. And on the street, we also know that losing is not an option. The “assume they are armed” principle forces our training to prioritize:
Dynamic weapon defenses: Practice defenses and disarms with realistic scenarios. Whether it’s a knife slash, a stick swing, or a gun threat, training dynamically (with movement, pressure, and resistance) helps replicate the unpredictability of a real confrontation.
Common objects: If they’re armed, why not you? Learn to spot and use everyday objects for defense—chairs, pens, bags, or even the environment around you. The more you see potential aids in your defense, the more prepared you’ll be.
Stress inoculation: When training, simulate the chaos and adrenaline of an actual attack. Sparring, high-pressure drills, and scenario-based exercises help bridge the gap between the safety of the gym and the unpredictability of the street.
A Mindset for Survival
At its core, the concept of Danger Plus One is about humility. It’s about recognizing that your attacker most likely has the upper hand in ways you can’t immediately see. This humility fosters caution, which, in turn, increases your odds of survival. It ensures that you don’t get caught off guard by a knife pulled from a pocket or a gun suddenly aimed at your chest.
More importantly, it trains you to rely on what Krav Maga is built on: practicality, efficiency, and decisiveness. Your ability to observe, maintain distance, and act appropriately can mean the difference between getting away and becoming a statistic.
Final Thoughts
Adopting the "Danger Plus One" mindset isn’t about living in fear—it’s about living with awareness. Assuming an attacker is armed doesn’t make you paranoid; it makes you prepared. It ensures you don’t underestimate a situation, and it prioritizes safety above ego.
In the next post, we’ll explore the next facet of this mindset: assume they are trained. But for now, think about the ways you can incorporate “assume they are armed” and weapons awareness into your everyday life and training. The more prepared you are for danger, the better equipped you’ll be to overcome it.
Stay aware. Stay humble. Stay safe.
About the author: Cyrus is the owner and lead instructor of Spartan Krav Maga, the top-rated Krav Maga school in the GTA and the Golden Horseshoe Region. A former Bay Street executive, he left the corporate world to help people build confidence and stay safe through realistic, effective self-defense training. With extensive experience in Krav Maga and Kapap, he has trained internationally and worked with civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel. Passionate about empowering others, he teaches practical self-defense to people of all ages, from young children to professionals. When he’s not at the studio, you’ll likely find him outdoors, fly-fishing or enjoying the wilderness.
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